Chrysanthemum plant named ‘CIFZ0063’

ABSTRACT

A new garden type  Chrysanthemum  plant named ‘CIFZ0063’ particularly distinguished by a medium size plant with round mound plant habit, a medium-small size, decorative flower, light pink/lavender flower color and has a two-tone flower color expressed under warmer temperatures. It has a natural season response in early-mid October.

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: Chrysanthemum x morifolium.

Varietal denomination: ‘CIFZ0063’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention comprises a new Chrysanthemum, botanically known as Chrysanthemum x morifolium, and hereinafter referred to by the variety name ‘CIFZ0063’.

‘CIFZ0063’ is a product of a planned breeding program. The new cultivar has medium size plant with round mound plant habit, a medium-small size, decorative flower, light pink/lavender flower color and has a two-tone flower color expressed under warmer temperatures. It has a natural season response in early-mid October.

‘CIFZ0063’ originated from a mutation: Stock x-rayed at 1750 RAD in October of 2013. Single cutting sport from the stock.

The parent was an unnamed pink/lavender selection of proprietary line ‘07-M078’.

When compared to the parent, ‘CIFZ0063’ has:

-   -   1) Similar flower type and size but lighter lavender/pink color         than the sport parent that becomes a lighter/white center         two-tone with age/heat.     -   2) Blackcloth is similar and natural season response is similar         or a day or two faster than the sport parent.     -   3) Similar plant habit and overall plant size than the sport         parent.

No male parent.

The first act of asexual reproduction of ‘CIFZ0063’ was accomplished when vegetative cuttings were propagated from the initial selection, this initial selection took place on Apr. 16, 2014 in Gilroy, Calif.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Horticultural examination of plants grown from cuttings of the plant initiated in May 2014 in Gilroy, Calif., and continuing thereafter, has demonstrated that the combination of characteristics as herein disclosed for ‘CIFZ0063’ are firmly fixed and are retained through successive generations of asexual reproduction.

‘CIFZ0063’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary significantly with variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity and day length.

A Plant Breeder's Right for this cultivar has not been applied for. ‘CIFZ0063’ has not been made publicly available prior to the effective filing date of this application, notwithstanding any disclosure that may have been made less than one year prior to the effective filing date of this application by the inventor or another who obtained ‘CIFZ0063’ directly from the inventor.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be basic characteristics of the new variety. The combination of these characteristics distinguishes this Chrysanthemum as a new and distinct variety.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographic drawing shows typical flower and foliage characteristics of ‘CIFZ0063’ with colors being as true as possible with an illustration of this type.

The photographic drawing shows in FIG. 1 a close view of flower of the new variety and in FIG. 2 a flowering plant from an outdoor trial.

The aforementioned photographs: FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 were taken in August 2017 both showing a plant from the same blackcloth indoor trial in Gilroy, Calif. These plants were about 10 weeks of age. One rooted cutting per pot had been planted in a one gallon pot, not pinched in week 24, and black clothed from week 25. Plants started flowering in August.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The measurements were taken in Gilroy, Calif. in August 2017 on the plants from the aforementioned trial.

Color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart (R.H.S.) 2001.

TABLE 1 DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE NEW VARIETY ‘CIFZ0063’ AND TWO MOST SIMILAR VARIETIES: ‘Yochery1’, U.S. Plant ‘CIFZ0063’ Pat. No. 11,846 Flowering response 2 days slower 2 days faster (blackcloth): Flowering response 6 days slower 6 days faster (natural): Flower color: Light pink/lavender Lavender Flower size: Smaller Bigger Plant habit or size: Larger plant in black- Smaller plant in blackcloth cloth butsmaller plant but bigger plant natural with natural with fuller and less ful and less round plant rounder plant habit habit

TABLE 2 ‘PPP AMIK 09’, U.S. Plant ‘CIFZ0063’ Pat. No. 21,453 Flowering response Similar Similar (blackcloth): Flowering response Similar except in the south Similar except in the (natural): where the new variety can south where ‘PPP be a half a week slower than AMIK 09’ can be a ‘PPP AMIK 09’ half a week faster than the new variety Flower color: Lighter Darker lavender/pink lavender/pink color color Flower size: Smaller Bigger Plant habit or size: Similar Similar

-   Plant:     -   -   Form, growth and habit.—Herbaceous garden-type, stems             upright and outwardly spreading, freely branching, strong             and moderately vigorous growth habit.         -   Plant height (above soil).—17-21 cm.         -   Plant height (inflorescence included).—20-24 cm.         -   Plant width.—30-34 cm. -   Roots:     -   -   Number of days to initiate roots.—About 4 days at about 22°             C.         -   Number of days to produce a rooted cutting.—14-16 days at             22° C.         -   Type.—Fine, fibrous, free branching.         -   Color.—RHS N155B but whiter. -   Foliage:     -   -   Arrangement.—Alternate.         -   Immature leaf, color upper surface.—RHS 139A.         -   Immature leaf, color lower surface.—RHS 137B.         -   Mature leaf, color, upper surface.—RHS 137A.         -   Mature leaf, color lower surface.—RHS 137C.         -   Length.—3.9-4.6 cm.         -   Width.—3.3-3.6 cm.         -   Shape.—Ovate, with distinct lobes.         -   Base shape.—Attenuate.         -   Apex shape.—Mucronate.         -   Margin.—3 main lobes, irregularly serrated.         -   Texture, upper surface.—Bifid hairs.         -   Texture, lower surface.—Bifid hairs.         -   Color of veins, upper surface.—RHS 138B.         -   Color of veins, lower surface.—RHS 138B.         -   Pattern of veining.—Palmate.         -   Petiole color.—RHS 137A.         -   Petiole length.—1.3-1.6 cm.         -   Diameter.—0.2 cm.         -   Texture.—Covered with bifid hairs. -   Stem:     -   -   Quantity of main branches per plant.—5-7.         -   Color of stem.—RHS 138A.         -   Length of stem.—5-9 cm.         -   Diameter.—0.3-0.5 cm.         -   Length of internodes.—0.5-1.5 cm.         -   Texture.—Bifid hairs.         -   Color of peduncle.—RHS 138B.         -   Length of peduncle.—3.5-4.5 cm.         -   Peduncle diameter.—0.1-0.15 cm.         -   Texture.—Bifid hairs. -   Inflorescence:     -   -   Type.—Compositae, solitary, decorative-type inflorescences             borne terminally above foliage, ray florets arranged on a             capitulum.         -   Quantity of short days to flowering (response             time).—Approximately 6 weeks.         -   Natural season flowering.—Early-mid October.         -   Quantity of inflorescences per plant.—70-90.         -   Lastingness of individual blooms on the plant.—About five             weeks from first color.         -   Fragrance.—Slightly spicy. -   Bud (when showing color):     -   -   Color.—RHS 155B with RHS 62D bleeding through apex,             diminishing towards base.         -   Length.—1.0-1.2 cm.         -   Width.—1.0-1.2 cm.         -   Shape.—Oblate. -   Immature inflorescence:     -   -   Diameter.—2.7-3.0 cm.         -   Color of ray florets, upper surface.—RHS 155A with RHS 70A             at apex and margins; diminishing towards base.         -   Color of ray florets, lower surface.—RHS 155A with RHS 70A             bleeding through margin. -   Mature inflorescence:     -   -   Diameter.—4.4-4.7 cm.         -   Depth.—1.5-1.8 cm.         -   Total diameter of disc.—No disc present.         -   Receptacle color.—RHS 144A.         -   Receptacle height.—0.5 cm.         -   Receptacle diameter.—3.0-4.0 cm. -   Ray florets:     -   -   Average quantity of florets.—Between 230 and 250 in several             whorls.         -   Color of florets, upper surface (abaxial).—RHS 155C with RHS             70B at apex and margins; diminishing towards base.         -   Color inner surface (adaxial).—RHS 155D with RHS 70D at             margins.         -   Length.—1.3-1.8 cm.         -   Width/diameter.—0.5-0.7 cm.         -   Shape.—Elliptical.         -   Apex shape.—Most often emarginated or praemorse.         -   Base shape.—Cuneate.         -   Margin.—Entire.         -   Texture, upper surface.—Smooth.         -   Lower surface.—Smooth. -   Disc florets: None present. -   Phyllaries:     -   -   Quantity.—130-150.         -   Color, upper surface.—Closest to RHS 137C.         -   Color, lower surface.—RHS 137B.         -   Length.—0.8 cm.         -   Width.—0.1-0.2 cm.         -   Shape.—Lanceolate.         -   Apex shape.—Acute.         -   Base.—Fused.         -   Margins.—Entire.         -   Texture, upper surface.—Glabrous.         -   Texture, lower surface.—Canescent. -   Reproductive organs:     -   -   Pistil.—One.         -   Length.—0.3-0.6 cm.         -   Style color.—RHS 1C.         -   Style length.—0.3-0.4 cm.         -   Stigma color.—RHS 7D.         -   Stigma shape.—Bi-parted.         -   Ovary color.—RHS 145C.         -   Ovary length.—0.15 cm.         -   Ovary width.—0.1 cm. -   Androecium:     -   -   Stamens.—None, as they are usually present in disc florets             only, which are not developed.         -   Fertility/seed set.—Has not been determined to date.         -   Disease/pest resistance.—Has not been determined to date. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Chrysanthemum plant named ‘CIFZ0063’ substantially as illustrated and described herein. 